The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-04-16
THE "BREAKING BOY"

he DhEHhlNU DOI.
It seemed that Geof was the most un.
fortunate boy in the world, for he was
nearly always in trouble. And yet he
was not exactly bad boy, for he did not
wish to displease his father and mother,
and was great deal happier when they
praised than when they blamed him.
Sometimes, when he sat down TO think
which was not often, he tried to find out
the reason of his misfortune, and one
day he thought he had it.
81 am too strong" he said. THAT is
what is the matter with me. AS soon as
I touch Il ing it seems to break. Only
must have been cracked; but at all events,
it came in two in my hand, and of counsel
got the blame of breaking it. 1t must be
because am great strong fellow. Fred
is different; he would not have broken
the plate if he had held it for an hour
but then he has no strength at all in his
hands. Mother, the best thing you can
do is to etarve me little, and then, per-
haps, you would not have to call me a
breaking boy"
Before Geeff's mother could answer
his sister spoke.
1t is very well for you to try to dis
pose of the matter in that way" she said;
''but surely you know that it is not your
strength, but your awkwardness which is
in fault"
"I don't know. Let me prove it to
YOU" said Geoff. "Look here, take up
this doll
Geoff was interrupted by a scream.
His little sister Annie flew to the rescue
of her favoIite.
30 Geoff, put down that doll 1 be-
lieve if you only look at her, she will
break. Now, see, she is broken"
Annie began to cry, and poor Geoff
looked sheepisb. But he tried to COM
fort his little sister, and wished fervently
that be had half dollar in his pocket
at the moment to give her.
I declare, only gently tried to
straighten the dolls arms, and one OF
them must needs come out directly. It's
too bad that dolls arms should be made
so soft and weak. If had doll she
should be strong"
Nothing but an iron doll would do
for you," said Annie reseutfully; " and
1 believe you would contrive to break
that some how or other"
"Now don't be cross, Annie. A broken
arm is not nearly SO bad as broken
head. But is it not strange that cannot
touch thing without breaking it?''
"That is not quite the case" said
Geoff's mother.
"You do not break everything that you
touch, and L suppose it is only the frag-
lie things that come to grief. But you
need to practice gentleness, my boy, you
have large and strong hands, and you
use unnecessary force. Only this morn
ing when you took my arm in the garden
you seized it as if it were something that
would slip away, or something heavy
that needed all your power to retain it.
If my arm had not been soft, am not
sure that it also would not have been
broken"
son mother, l am sorry. Did really
hurt your"
ga little, Geoff; but I did not mind it,
and I only speak of it in the hope that
you may be careful in future"
81 declare" said Nellie, I" that it Geoff
catches hold of my arm when We are at
play, it is always black and blue for q day
or two afterward."
Nonsensep said Geoff; but he looked
very sorry and panied.
+" am sure mother, something must be
DONE" he said presently; you must put
me on short commons, and then perhaps
L shall get thin and weak"
" But, my boy, 1 do not want you to
get thin and weak. Strong hands are
needed in this world, and hope yours
will do some good and useful work when
you are little older. You must try to
cultivate kindly heart and thoughtful
spirit, and then you will know in time
how much force is needed TO do or to hold
things. / shall be glad when that time
comes, for it is very expensive to have a
breaking boy in the family"
Poor Geoff did try; but the next day he
was even more unfortunate than he had
been the day before-for this time he
broke himself
He was in an apple tree, having vol
untesred to go and gather the apples
but, instead of taking care Of himself, he
went to work with all the energy and
earelessness which he could have exhib
tied il he had been on firm ground, and
the consequence was that he fell. His
mother and sister ran to see what was the
matter.
Nothing much" said he, trying &c